Gangland Criminal Kieran Fogarty Receives Extra 5 Years for Fatal Hit-and-Run

UPDATE: Kieran Fogarty, a notorious gangland criminal, has been sentenced to an additional five years in prison for the tragic hit-and-run that killed 21-year-old student Joe Drennan. The Court of Appeal ruled that his original eight-year sentence was too lenient, following a hearing today in Limerick.

In a decision that reverberates with the family’s grief, Ms Justice Tara Burns ordered Fogarty to serve a total of 14 years in prison, with the final year suspended. The ruling comes after a review of the devastating impact Drennan’s death has had on his family, described by Justice Burns as “an exceptional young man with a promising career ahead of him.”

This urgent update highlights the serious consequences of reckless behavior on the roads. Fogarty’s actions, which included filming himself speeding prior to the incident, were detailed extensively during the court proceedings. The court was shown CCTV footage that captured him driving at speeds of up to 122 km/h in a 50 km/h zone just moments before the collision on October 13, 2023.

Following the crash that left Drennan trapped under Fogarty’s BMW, evidence revealed that Fogarty spent 14 seconds cleaning his car before fleeing the scene. Inspector Padraig Sutton of the Gardaí provided critical evidence, stating that Fogarty had shown “counter forensic measures” indicative of his guilt and awareness of the severity of his actions.

After initially being sentenced to six and a half years last January for dangerous driving causing death, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) appealed the leniency of the sentence. The court agreed that the original sentence did not adequately reflect the severity of the crime, particularly given that Fogarty had numerous previous convictions and was involved in other serious criminal activities, including a drive-by shooting earlier that year.

Drennan’s sister, Sarah, expressed the family’s relief outside the court, stating that this decision brings a sense of justice and acknowledges that her brother’s life mattered. “Nothing can ever bring him back, but this acknowledges that what happened to him was not an accident or mistake but a deliberate act of reckless and criminal behavior,” she said, emphasizing the emotional toll the tragedy has taken on their family.

As the case continues to draw attention, the implications extend beyond this individual sentence. It serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by reckless driving and gang-related activities within communities. The public and authorities alike are urged to reflect on the consequences of such actions, as they impact not just victims, but entire families and communities.

Moving forward, the court’s decision sets a significant precedent for how similar cases may be handled in the future. Fogarty will also face a driving ban for 20 years, underscoring the seriousness of his offenses. As the community processes this latest development, the focus remains on ensuring justice for victims and accountability for those who endanger lives on the roads.

This case is a developing story, and further updates are expected as the legal ramifications unfold. Stay tuned for more information on this urgent matter.